US 12,258,066 B1
Space frame kinetic front suspension fabrication
David O. Zalanka, Mt Zion, IL (US); Jacob W. Bell, Decatur, IL (US); and Timothy D. Harman, Decatur, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Sep. 13, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/367,476.
Int. Cl. B62D 21/11 (2006.01); B62D 21/02 (2006.01); B62D 27/02 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 21/11 (2013.01) [B62D 21/02 (2013.01); B62D 27/023 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A space frame for an off-highway rear haul truck comprising:
a front lower suspension connection;
a front suspension transition fabrication; and
a pair of elongate support members,
wherein the front suspension transition fabrication is welded to the front lower suspension connection at a first end of the front suspension transition fabrication and is welded to each of the elongate support members at a second end of the front suspension transition fabrication opposite the first end such that the elongate support members are spaced from the front lower suspension connection,
wherein the front suspension transition fabrication includes:
a body,
a first pair of ribs welded on a first side of the body,
a second pair of ribs welded on a second side of the body opposite the first side of the body, and
a connection interface forming the second end of the front suspension transition fabrication and being welded to each of the elongate support members, the connection interface being arcuate, and
wherein each of the ribs of the first pair of ribs and the ribs of the second pair of ribs extends from the front lower suspension connection to the connection interface.